Special Programs

Arts/Music

At the elementary level, fifth- and sixth- grade students may choose to participate in the band or strings instrumental music program. At the secondary level, students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of band, orchestra, and choral groups. The opportunities include audition groups such as Jazz band, Jazz Choir (10–12), Madrigals (10–12), the annual musical and other drama productions (7–12).

Spanish Immersion Program, K-6

The Davis Joint Unified School District offers an alternative elementary education program in which Spanish is the primary language of instruction for the district-wide curriculum. Information is available at César Chávez Elementary School, at Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School, or at the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Services at the District Office.

Child Care Center

A year-round child care program for three-year-old to kindergarten age children offers subsidized, developmentally appropriate curriculum under the auspices of the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education. Eligible families may apply at the Children's Center Office. Also available to eligible families are three-hour morning and afternoon State Preschool classes. These are kindergarten readiness programs that operate only during the school year.

Community Support Programs

The Davis community strongly supports the Davis Joint Unified School District. There is considerable community involvement, as well as parent participation in the District's educational program. Parent boards and committees which function on a continuous basis in the schools include the following:

• Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
• Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
• School Site Council (SSC)
• Spanish Immersion Parents and Teachers (SIPAT)
• GATE Education Advisory Committee
• Davis School Arts Foundation
• All Sports Boosters (Davis High School)
• Substance Abuse Commission (SAC)
• Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
• Human Relations District Coordination Committee (HRDCC)
• District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

Consolidated Programs

Each school within the District receives categorical monies from federal and state governments, including funding for the following programs: School Improvement, E.S.E.A. Title I, Title II (Eisenhower Professional Development), Title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities), Title VI: Innovative Programs, Title VI: Federal Class Size Reduction, Economic Impact Aid/Limited English Proficient, Miller-Unruh Reading and Tenth Grade Counseling. Specific educational needs and program expenditures are identified in the site School Level Plans on file at the District Office.

Drug Free Schools (DFS) & Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE)

Grades 4-6  address topics include awareness of the physical impact of smoking, chewing tobacco and substance abuse. Skills of conflict management, character development and tolerance are introduced to solve confrontations that would lead to violence. Students interact with officers from the Davis Police Department through the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

Grades 7-9  address issues across the curriculum with materials created by teachers and some designated lessons from the Quest Program. Substance abuse, refusal skills, tolerance/diversity and antiviolence are emphasized in seventh grade social studies classes while the physical problems are addressed in eighth grade science. Emphasis is directed to building a strong peer helper's program in grades 7 through grade 12. Support training is provided for junior high school peer helpers in dealing with diversity, tolerance, substance abuse, etc.

Grades 10-12 require a semester-long health class as a graduation requirement. At tenth grade, trained peer helpers from the junior high select whether to continue as Peer Helpers and work under the direction of counselors or become Health Advocates who work with school nurses. The program emphasizes substance abuse prevention and cessation, diversity and tolerance and social relationships.

Gifted & Talented Education Program (GATE)

To meet the specific needs of the identified GATE students, designated programs (grades K–12) provide alternatives that include differentiation in the regular classroom, cluster grouping, individualized plans and self-contained classes. Self-contained classes serve intellectually gifted students in the intermediate grades (4–6) at Valley Oak, Pioneer and Willett Elementary Schools; in grades 7–9 at Holmes Junior High School, and in the tenth grade at Davis Senior High School (for English only). Additional classes [including Honors and AP classes] are also open to high-achieving students at both junior high schools and at the high school. Students qualify in the areas of "intellectually gifted" as demonstrated by a test of mental aptitude/reasoning. "High achieving" students are measured by performance on tests of academic achievement and/or class performance. These categories are defined by Davis's state-approved GATE program. For more information, contact the GATE Coordinator at the District Office.

Programs for English Learners (EL)

To meet the varied needs of English Learners (EL) and families, the District provides programs that offer support to students acquiring English as a second language.

English-as-a-Second-Language and Primary Language Support in Spanish are offered at each school site.

Blilingual/Spanish Immersion Program serves Spanish-speaking students at César Chávez Elementary School, one of the District's Spanish immersion schools. Montgomery Elementary houses the District's Spanish immersion program for grades K-1. Spanish-speaking students receive academic instruction in Spanish as they acquire proficiency in English. In the intermediate grades, students receive academic content in two languages.

English Learners Parent Meetings are held throughout the District to provide information and support to parents of students acquiring English.

Special Education Programs

Special Education is an integral part of the District’s educational offerings. Special Education provides a variety of specially designed instructional programs for pupils identified by an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) team as requiring these special services. Integrated special-day classes, resource specialist programs, speech and language therapy, and other related services are operated by Davis schools.

The Yolo County Office of Education operates additional special educational programs for students with needs beyond the scope of District programs.

Special Reading Program

At each elementary school, a Miller-Unruh Reading Teacher provides specialized services to students and classroom teachers in support of the Reading/Language Arts curriculum.

Summer School Programs for K-6 and 7-12 Students

A summer school program offers remedial and enrichment courses to regular classroom students and special education students. Remedial programs are available for those students in grades K–12 who have not yet mastered appropriate grade level standards. Enrichment programs are offered in mathematics, science, the arts and other core curriculum. Enrollment takes place in March for secondary students and in May for K–6 students.